Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02352979 2001-07-13
1
PORTABLE CART FOR WAGON/STRETCHER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multiple-purpose
collapsible portable cart, for use in camping, hunting, search
and rescue, and other outdoors activities. The cart can be
easily assembled in a number of uses, and disassembled for
easy transporting of the cart in a backpack or hand-carried
bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various single use carts exist for carrying canoes and
small boats by hand. Other outdoors-oriented carts exist for
carrying game. In addition, wheelbarrows and small carts are
used for transporting gear at outdoors locations. However,
none of the existing carts can be converted to a versatile
portable cart which can interchangeably function as a rescue
cart with a carrier for injured persons, as a portable canoe
or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within
the canoe or boat, as a game cart for transporting game over
long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can
broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a versatile multi-purpose cart, which is quickly
assembled or disassembled.
It is also an object to provide a multi-purpose cart,
which quickly converts from one use to another.
It is further an object to provide a cart which as a
stable, flat platform for supporting cooking devices,
machinery, camera tripods and the like.
It is yet another object to provide a cart, which is
stable during transport over rough terrain.
It is yet another object to provide a portable
collapsible cart with minimal fasteners.
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It is yet another object to provide a portable
collapsible cart, which can be stabilized in a position of
rest.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide
a universally adaptable carrier cart.
It is yet another object of the present invention to
provide a cart for carrying medical rescue stretchers, canoes
and small boats by hand.
It is yet another object to provide a portable search and
rescue cart adapted to carry a stretcher or other carrier for
an injured person.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide
an outdoors-oriented cart for carrying game or injured
parties.
It is yet another object of the present invention to
provide a small cart with a well for transporting gear at
outdoor locations.
It is further an object to provide a collapsible,
portable cart, which can be assembled with minimal fasteners.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide
a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function
as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and
transported within the canoe or boat, as a rescue cart for
injured persons, as a game cart for transporting game over
long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can be
broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.
It is yet another object to provide a portable cart which
is either backpackable or which can be carried by hand.
It is yet another object to provide a carrier for
transporting military equipment and ordnance.
It is yet another object to provide a cart-hauling clamp
for pulling the portable cart behind a bicycle while resisting
tipping over of the cart during directional change of the
cart-hauling bicycle.
It is yet another object to provide a portable cart which
can be used as a wheeled cart on terrain or as a ski cart on
snow.
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It is also an object of the present invention to improve
over the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with these objects and others, which may be
apparent, the present invention relates to a convertible,
multi-purpose portable cart, for use in camping, hunting,
search and rescue operations and other outdoors activities,
such as for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. It may
also carry game, injured parties or be used for transporting
gear at outdoors locations. It is a versatile portable cart
which can interchangeably function as a medical rescue
carrier, cargo carrier, portable canoe or boat cart, which can
be assembled with interfitting parts and with minimal
fasteners. It can be folded down and transported within the
canoe or boat, as a carry cart for transporting game or
injured parties over long, rough terrain or snow, or as a gear
cart, all of which can be broken down into a carrying
position, by hand or by back.
The cart is moved by manual pushing or pulling force
applied to activate vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels
upon terrain or skis upon snow or ice, wherein upon the
exertion of force the wheels or skis cause forward or rearward
movement of the portable cart.
The cart is easily assembled or disassembled by
connecting its parts together, or optionally assembled from a
pre-set storage configuration in a carry pack to an assembled
structure.
The cart easily changes from one use to the other. For
example, in one embodiment, a hollow cargo well may contain a
second loose layer, which turns into a rescue stretcher when
the second layer becomes taut when zipped up from a loose,
relaxed state within the cargo well to a taut rescue stretcher
for carrying injured persons thereon.
In an alternate rescue embodiment, clamps can be provided
on shortened horizontal support members to hold medical rescue
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stretcher rails, and optional handles or pivotable kickstands
can be attached by further clamps to the stretcher rails.
In military applications, the height of the vertical
struts can be lowered to keep the injured person on the
stretcher close to the ground, to avoid visible detection.
The portable cart is preferably under thirty (30) pounds,
preferably twenty two (22) to twenty eight (28) pounds, so
that it can be carried by hand or within a backpack over rough
terrain. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled
and carried in a canoe or small boat, and then reassembled
with minimal assembly steps and parts, at another destination
along the canoe or boat's journey.
To prevent flat tires, its wheels are preferably solid
core tires, which cannot get flat, with stainless steel
bearings, over which the wheels rotate. A typical wheel has
two press fit bearings adjacent to an integrally molded hub.
While the typical wheel is about 2-3 inches wide, for
transporting cargo or game on sand or granular terrain, the
wheels may be wider, such as 4-6 inches in width.
For maneuverability in snow-filled winter scenes,
optional ski members, including skis, are attached to vertical
braces having a length corresponding to the radius of the
cart's wheels. The vertical ski braces are attached to the
vertical struts where the wheel axles attach.
For hardiness, the material of the structural frame
components is preferably a lightweight but resilient and
strong material, such as, for example, 60-61 T6 fully anodized
aluminum, or stainless steel. In a substantially pre-
assembled optional embodiment, in a storage position within a
carry bag, the vertical struts are connected to horizontal
supports, which are further engaged with rails to hold a cargo
well or rescue stretcher. Pivoting of the horizontal supports
about each respective longitudinal axis to a position of rest
biases the resiliently engaged rails to return to their
natural position of use when released from the storage
position.
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These pivotable support and strut assemblies can be
further strengthened by optional V-shaped braces, which are
positioned where each vertical strut meets each corresponding
horizontal support member.
5 The portable cart can hold up to 500 pounds, and for
manual pulling easily pulls 300 pounds. The portable cart is
durable to carry heavy weight over rough terrain, such as
rock-strewn dirt trails or sloping riverbank surfaces.
To carry a canoe or boat, two horizontal load supports
optionally include support cushions upon which the canoe or
boat rests. The position of the horizontal load supports can
be varied to accommodate various widths of the canoe or boat.
To function as a game or rescue cart, the frame, such as
a pair of U-shaped rails which are joined end to end, is
provided upon the horizontal load supports to form a rounded
rectangular frame, over which a taunt, but slightly
stretchable, bed of fabric is placed, such as canvas or other
flexible material, i.e., plastic or netting. The bed includes
sewn loops through which portions of the U-shaped rails of the
frame are inserted. Other fabric fasteners such as clips,
zippers or eyelets can be also used.
In an alternate embodiment, the boat support cushions are
removable from the horizontal load supports and are replaced
by a two-piece clamp, which attaches by at least one fastener,
such as a pair of screws, to the horizontal load supports of
the cart. Conventional stretchers or personal rescue
carriers, such as Stokes-type baskets, are clamped to the cart
within the clamps on each respective horizontal load support.
In this embodiment, the boat support cushions are attached to
a thin plate, such as of 1/8 inch aluminum or otherwise, which
has at least one fastener such as a pair of threaded studs,
insertable with the respective hole or holes in the horizontal
load supports, so that the boat support cushions can be
removed and replaced by the stretcher-bearing clamps.
To function as a wagon cart with a well for carrying
gear, a hollow fabric well, such as of canvas, is draped
between said horizontal load members and over and around the
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front and rear U-shaped brackets. A cover may be provided to
cover the gear therein. The well and cover can also be made
of other suitable flexible materials, such as plastic, netting
or canvas. An optional removable hard bottom substrate floor
layer may be provided within the cargo well. While this floor
layer may be of any hard material, materials such as
lightweight aluminum, wood or marine polymer plastics are
preferred.
Furthermore, the cargo cart may have an optional handle
from which may be draped a further optional accessory cargo
bag. In the stretcher embodiment, where the upper layer is
fastened taut, the handle may have a removable headrest
pillow.
Kickstands may be optionally provided to stabilize the
portable cart during rest or during loading of contents
thereon.
In yet another embodiment, an anti-tipping bicycle
attachment is provided to attach the cart to a bicycle while
preventing the cart from turning over during transportation.
In one embodiment, the cart has two wheels for cargoes
weighing from 300-500 pounds. However, for heavier loads,
such as for 600-1,000 pounds, an optional double axle version
includes two pairs of overlapping wheels for heavier cargo. In
this embodiment, the portable cart uses four wheels in the
overlapped configuration, with an optional hard molded
canister. In this overlapping, wheeled version, a long axle
attaches a pair of front wheels and a short axle attaches a
pair of rear wheels through the respective vertical supports,
although the length of the axles can be reversed. Using four
wheels doubles the carrying capacity of the cart, and the
overlapped positioning of the pairs of wheels maintains a
short wheelbase for compactness, for maneuverability and for
climbing slopes or ledges.
In the four-wheeled embodiment, double parallel rails may
be provided for additional structural strength. The
overlapping, dual axle, four-wheel version gives the user
extra pivot points on rough terrain. For example, pushing
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down upon the optional handle enables the user to lift the
further away distal wheels off the ground. Furthermore,
pulling upon the handle enables the user to lift the nearer,
proximal wheels off the ground.
The accessory which is placed upon the vertical supports
of either the two wheeled or four wheeled carts, such as the
rescue stretcher, the boat cushion, the cargo cart, etc., can
be attached permanently or by fasteners to each horizontal
load support member of the portable cart. However, in an
alternate embodiment, the horizontal supports have
longitudinally extending channels to slide the accessories in
on top of the horizontal supports. Furthermore, the
accessory, such as a railed rescue stretcher, can be carried
by a clamp which itself is attached to the horizontal support
by insertion in such a channel.
This clamp upon each horizontal support member may be a
one piece clamp with a full width top section and short end
pieces which mate with and slip into a T-shaped slot channel
of the horizontal support member. Alternatively, the clamp may
have a full width bottom member which mates with and slides
into a T-slot of the horizontal support. In yet another
embodiment, two short identical clamp members are inserted
into the T-slots of the horizontal member at the two ends.
Moreover, the clamping sections can have spring-like gripping
action to be retained upon tubular members, such as medical
rescue stretcher rails, or the clamps can use fasteners such
as fasteners, such as thumbscrews or ball plungers for
retention.
In yet another embodiment, a covered canister can be held
in place over the rails of the frame of the cart, in a stable
position, by virtue of its weight being held in place upon the
rails of the cart, wherein a concave, downward facing channel
engages the linear, upper convex support surface of each rail.
Furthermore, the cart of the present invention can be
disassembled and broken down for hand held or backpack
transport and it can easily be assembled for its varied uses.
Moreover, when a boat or canoe is carried, the cart has a
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precision balance feature that rotates the'wheels to maintain
the cart in a horizontal stable position.
In yet a further embodiment there is provided a cart
collapsible for storage and transport and expandable for use
in carrying a load, comprising:
a modular load support frame that can be alternately
assembled and dis-assembled, the modular frame being comprised
of a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal parallel, rigid
load support members each having a pair of downwardly
extending vertical strut each having a lower end with axle
mounting means at the lower end; further wherein
the horizontal load support members having a hollow well
configuration for receiving an upper end of the at least one
vertical strut therewithin; and further wherein
the horizontal parallel, rigid load support members have
respective forward and rearward ends, the forward and rearward
ends having receptacle means; and wherein the cart further has
a pair of horizontal U-shaped support frame extension members;
the U-shaped extension members being mountably and alternately
de-mountably received in the receptacle means of the forward
and rearward ends of the horizontal support members; the U-
shaped extension members comprising respective load supporting
extensions extending forwardly and rearwardly, respectively,
from the horizontal support members; and wherein the cart
further has a pair of transverse axles, de-mountably mounted
parallel to each other, each axle of the pair of axles
extending between each respective pair of the pair of vertical
struts, and
the at least one downwardly extending vertical strut
comprises vertical length adjustment means.
It is preferred that one of the pair of axles is a
forward axle and the other axle is a rearward axle; the axles
I I
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having respective ends for receiving alternately attachable
and detachable wheels; the axles being attachable and
alternately detachable to the axle mounting means at the lower
end of at least one vertical strut; and wherein
the forward axle and rearward axle are spaced apart by a
dist.ance smaller than the diameter of the smallest wheel
attached to either the forward axle or rearward axle; and
wherein
the forward axle comprises a length greater than the
length of the rearward axle, wherein the forward axle is
longer than the rearward axle by a distance of at least twice
the thickness of the thickest wheel attached to either the
forward axle or the rearward axle.
Further, it is preferred each axle has a length equal to
a corresponding length of the other axle.
Desirably, in the above embodiment, the vertical length
adjustment means comprises a sleeve containing a telescoping
shaft; the sleeve having spring means for urging the shaft in
a selectably extendable manner out of the sleeve; the sleeve
having locking means for locking the telescoping shaft into a
selected extended position, and
each horizontal support of the pair of horizontal
supports further comprises a clamp supporting a rail therein.
It is desirable the rail comprises a pair of rails, the
rails each being a stretcher rail having a stretcher fabric
shee--- extending between the pair of rails, the rail comprises
a pair of rails supporting a hollow cargo bin thereon, and the
at least one horizontal load support comprises at least one
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
lonclitudinal tubular member having an upper half; and wherein
the cargo bin further includes attachments means
having half-cylindrical-shaped longitudinal mounting
channels on lower walls thereof for removable engaging and
securely grasping the upper half of at least one longitudinal
tubular member.
In the above embodiment it is preferable to further
comprise at least one user-deployable kick stand for
stabilizing the cart in a fixed position, the kick stand being
pivotably attached to at least one of the pair of horizontal
U-shaped support frame extension members; the at least one
kick stand being detachable for storage from the at least one
of the pair of horizontal U-shaped support frame extension
members; and
the kick stand when deployed extending downwardly from at
least one of the pair of horizontal U-shaped support frame
extension members for contact with the ground at a user-
selected pivoted angle.
It is further preferable at least one kick stand has
telescoping means and securing means for telescoping to a user
selected extended length for contact with an irregular ground
surface upon deployment; the securing means for releasably
locking the kick stand into the user selected length.
Desirably, the above further comprises a vehicle movement
actuators, the vehicle movement actuators are wheels, and
wherein the wheels are held by the axle. Further, the axles
are fitted with removable snow skis.
Moreover, it is desirable the cart further comprises a
plurality of wheels, the wheels being stored in storage means
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upon the cart during selected deployment of the skis, the skis
are demountably attachable directly to each vertical strut,
and there is further provided a platform base supporting an
object thereon.
Additionally, it is preferable the platform base has
attachment members slidable within channel clamps attachable
to the horizontal support members.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there
is provided a modular, user-configurable, re-useable, non-
disposable cart that is collapsible for storage and transport
and expandable for use in carrying a load, comprising: a
modular load support frame that can be alternately assembled
and dis-assembled, the modular frame being comprised of a pair
of spaced and parallel horizontally disposed elongated rigid
load support members; a vertically extending straight and
rigid strut extending down from a midsection of each of the
horizontal load support members; the load support members each
having at least one convenient user-securable clamp on a top
surface thereof spanning a substantial portion of the length
of each of the horizontal load support members; at least one
convenient user-securable clamp being user-positionable and
interchangeable with any other at least one clamp; each
vertical strut having a lower end with an axle mounting means
at the lower end; an axle extending through and joining both
the axle mounting means; the axle having at least one vehicle
movement actuator of a pair of vehicle movement actuators
attached at opposite sides of the cart; the axle in joining
and contacting both the movement actuators of the cart; the
axle traversing through the respective struts; and a load
carrier removably attached to at least one clamp.
Preferably, the horizontal load support members have
hollow well means therewithin for receiving an upper end of at
least one vertical strut; and further wherein
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the horizontal parallel, rigid load support members have
respective forward and rearward ends, the forward and rearward
ends having receptacle means; and wherein the cart further has
a pair of horizontal U-shaped support frame extension
members; the U-shaped extension members being mountably and
alternately de-mountably received in the receptacle means of
the forward and rearward ends of the horizontal support
members; the U-shaped extension members comprising respective
loacl supporting extensions extending forwardly and rearwardly,
respectively, from the horizontal support members.
It is further preferable at least one downwardly
extending vertical strut comprises vertical length adjustment
means, the vertical length adjustment means comprises a sleeve
containing a telescoping shaft; the sleeve having spring means
for urging the shaft in a selectably extendable manner out of
the sleeve; the sleeve having locking means for locking the
telescoping shaft into a selected extended position.
It is further preferable each horizontal support of the
pair of horizontal supports further comprises a clamp
supporting a rail therein, the rail comprises a pair of rails,
the rails each being a stretcher rail having a stretcher
fabric sheet extending between the pair of rails, and the rail
comprises a pair of rails supporting a hollow cargo bin
thereon.
Furthermore, it is preferable at least one horizontal
load support comprises at least one longitudinal tubular
member having an upper half; and wherein the cargo bin further
includes attachment means
having half-cylindrical-shaped longitudinal mounting
chanriels on lower walls thereof for removable engaging and
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securely grasping the upper half of at least one longitudinal
tubular member.
It is desirable the above embodiment further comprises at
least one user-deployable kick stand for stabilizing the cart
in a fixed position, the kick stand being pivotably attached
to at least one of the pair of horizontal U-shaped support
frame extension members; the at least one kick stand being
detachable for storage from at least one of the pair of
horizontal U-shaped support frame extension members; and
the kick stand when deployed extending downwardly from
the at least one of the pair of horizontal U-shaped support
frame extension members for contact with the ground at a user-
selected pivoted angle, and the at least one kick stand has
telescoping means and securing means for telescoping to a user
selected extended length for contact with an irregular ground
surface upon deployment; the securing means for releasably
locking the kick stand into the user selected length.
Desirably, the vehicle movement actuators are wheels, the
wheels are held by the axle, the axles are fitted with
removable snow skis, the cart further comprises a plurality of
wheels, the wheels being stored in storage means upon the cart
duririg selected deployment of the skis, and the skis are
demountably attachable directly to each vertical strut.
It is preferable in the above there is provided an
optional platform base supporting an object thereon, the
platform base has attachment members slidable within channel
clamps attachable to the horizontal support members.
It is also preferable the cart is collapsible within a
carry case without physical detachment of any components; and
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wherein the collapsibility comprises hinge means and spring
mearis to assemble the cart for use upon opening the carry
case,
the cart folding down to a dis-assembled storage position
and the cart unfolding to an assembled position of use.
Desirably, the cart includes the pair of horizontal load
support members laid parallel to each other, which the
horizontal support members rotate axially to move
perpendicularly extending vertical struts attached thereto
outward from a position within the carry case, wherein in a
storage position the vertical struts face each other's distal
ends, and wherein in a position of use 90 degrees
perpendicular to the storage position, the vertical struts
extend in the same plane but outward from the horizontal load
support members.
It is further desirable a pair of resilient rails engage
the horizontal supports such that when in a position of
storage the rails are biased to return to their normal
position of use, when released from the storage position, thus
causing the vertical struts attached to the horizontal
supports to pivot upward.
It is desirable in any of the above embodiments the
vertical struts are attached to horizontal supports by
connecting braces.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can best be described in connection
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components
of the basic cart embodiment broken down for transport within
and on the storage backpack;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the backpack on a user,
with the cart contained therein;
Fig. 3 is an exploded inverted perspective view of the
basic cart embodiment components, disassembled from their
oric-inal transport configuration;
Fig. 3A is a perspective view of an alternate simplified
embodiment where the vertical strut is permanently attached to
a horizontal member in a"T-" configuration;
Fig. 3B is a perspective view of an embodiment where the
horizontal support is permanently affixed to the vertical
strut by welding or other means;
Fig. 3C is an alternate embodiment where the vertical
strut fits within a hole in the horizontal support and is
fastened by a fastener.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled boat cart;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled cart with a
boat fastened for transport;
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the
components required to assemble the boat cart;
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective of a typical wheel,
showing two press fit bearings adjacent an integrally molded
hub;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an axle-locking member,
installed on the assembled axle;
Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines
9-9 of Fig. 8, showing the locking member compressing and
locking the axle joint;
Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat
cart in its resting position, with a boat hull contacting the
raised edge;
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Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat
cart with the boat hull positioned and fully installed,
illustrating the precision balancing feature of the cart;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled alternate
embodiment cart, for hunting/gaming applications;
Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inverted
gaming cart, illustrating the framework fastening method;
Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the
gaming cart, illustrating the attachment of the stretcher
canvas material to the framework components;
Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment
of t:he handlebar component to the locking receptacles on the
f rantework;
Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation view, taken through
lines 16-16 of Fig. 15, showing the locking receptacles acting
on the installed leg of the handlebar;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the gaming cart, with a
deer fastened for transport;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a further embodiment, a
cart for transporting cargo, equipped with optional wide tires
and axle for use on sand or granular terrain;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a fully loaded cargo
cart, with the cover material partially cutaway to reveal its
contents;
Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the
cargo cart, illustrating the attachment of the canvas material
to the framework components;
Fig. 21 is another exploded perspective detail view of
the components for a stretcher-hauling clamp of an alternate
embodiment for a search and rescue cart;
Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the clamp embodiment
shown in Figure 21, showing the sliding action of the clamp
therein, for quick removal of the stretcher therefrom;
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Figure 23 is a perspective view of the portable cart of
the present invention, showing the clamp as in Figures 21 and
22 carrying a rescue stretcher;
Figure 24 is a perspective view of the portable cart
car:~ying a Stokes-type personal rescue carrier;
Figure 25 is an exploded view of components of a further
alternate embodiment for a support for removal of a boat
support cushion therefrom;
Figure 26 is a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment for a hunting cart with an accessory racking system
for transport of hunting gear, such as a tree stand chair,
archery implements and firearms thereon;
Figure 27 is an exploded detail view of a quick release
clarnp for rail fastening to the cart shown in Figure 26;
Figure 28 is an assembled elevational view of the clamp
of Figure 27 attached to a rail;
Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view of a typical
clarlp for gear support for the cart as in Figure 26;
Figure 30 is a perspective view of an anti-tipping
attachment for connecting a bicycle to the portable cart of
the present invention;
Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of the
components of Figure 30;
Figure 32 is a side elevational view of an alternate
embodiment of the portable cart of this invention with four
wheels, shown with a covered cargo-hauling bin;
Figure 32A is a top plan view of the cover for a bin used
with the cart as in Figure 32;
Figure 32B is a top plan view of the bin used with the
cart: as in Figure 32;
Figure 32C is an exploded view of the cover and bin as in
Figure 32;
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Figure 32D is a side elevational view of the cover and
bin as in Figure 32;
Figure 32E is a front elevational view of the cover and
bin as in Figure 32;
Figure 32F is a front cross-sectional view thereof, taken
alorig lines "32F-32F" of Figure 32D;
Figure 32G is an exploded perspective view thereof;
Figure 33 is a perspective view of one embodiment for an
assembled frame of a portable cart with four wheels;
Figure 33A is a bottom perspective view of the chassis
and wheel portions thereof;
Figure 34 is a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a channeled horizontal load support member with
an integral T-slot;
Figure 35 is a perspective view of the channeled
horizontal load support member as in Figure 34, shown with an
extruded support cushion installed in a T-slot;
Figure 36 is a perspective view of the embodiment for an
assembled cart with four wheels further incorporating
horizontal support members with a T-slot;
Figure 37 is a perspective view of a horizontal support
member with a clamp member having two short T-slot engaging
members and a full- length top section;
Figure 38 is a perspective view of a horizontal support
member with a clamp member having a full-length T-slot
engaging bottom member and two short clamping top members;
Figure 39 is a perspective view of a horizontal support
member with two short identical clamping members installed in
the r-slots at the extreme ends;
Figure 40 is a side elevational view of an alternate
embodiment for a rescue carrier cart with shortened horizontal
supports and with a pivotable kickstand;
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Figure 41 is a front elevational view of the kickstand
port:ion of the rescue carrier cart as in Figure 40;
Figure 42 is a side elevational view of the rescue
carrier cart as in Figure 40, shown with the kickstand pivoted
in a transportable position of rest;
Figure 43 is a side elevational view of a low profile
military rescue carrier cart, shown with a handle;
Figure 44 is a front elevational view of the handle as in
Figure 43;
Figure 45 is a side elevational view of an alternate
embodiment for a four wheeled rescue carrier cart, shown with
stre:tcher rails and with stabilizing tie rods, for use as a
temporary stationary medical gurney;
Figure 46 is a top plan view thereof; shown without the
stretcher rails;
Figures 47, 47A, 47B, 48 and 49 show respective
isometric, left side, top, front and right side views of the
clan.p used in the embodiments shown in Figures 40-46;
Figure 50 is an isometric view of a half piece thereof,
shown with spring pins;
Figure 51 is an isometric perspective view of a further
embodiment for a disassembled, single axle cart, stored in a
carry bag;
Figure 51A is a further perspective view thereof;
Figure 52 is an exploded perspective view of the cart as
in Figure 51, shown during assembly, wherein arrows indicate
directional movement of rotation about the axis of the rails
shown therein;
Figure 52A is a perspective view thereof showing one
wheel in place upon an axle;
Figure 53 is a close-up cutaway view of the spring stop
member regulating outward movement of the optional rails of
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
the cart of the present invention from a storage position to. a
position of use;
Figure 54 is an overall perspective view in partial
cutaway of the cart showing the wagon portion in its cargo-
carrying configuration;
Figure 55 is an overall perspective view of the cart of
Figure 54, shown in its rescue stretcher configuration;
Figure 56 shows a detail view of an optional ski
attachment instead of wheels, for use in snow and winter
environments; and
Figure 57 shows a detail view of an optional
platform base for supporting objects thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in the drawing Figures 1-57, the present
invention is directed to foldable cart 1, for carrying a boat,
such as a canoe, which can also function as a game cart or a
wagon for carrying gear in outdoor field applications.
Figure 1 shows cart 1 in a disassembled storage position
with a pair of horizontal load support members 10 laid
parallel adjacent to each other, supporting wheels 30 thereon.
Wheels 30 are secured in place by a transverse connecting rod
31 through wheel hubs 30a and by one or more load securing
straps 50. Disassembled storage cart 1 is inserted within
carry bag 120, which includes ledge 121 and fabric loops 122
for holding bracket members 60, 70 and handle 80 outside of
carry bag 120.
To transport portable cart 1 by hand carry straps 124 are
attached to carry bag 120. Conversely as shown in Figure 2,
to t:ransport portable cart 1 upon the back of a user, carry
straps 124 are attached to carry bag 120, which supports
portable cart 1 in a weight bearing manner, or else horizontal
support members 10 are inverted to support portable cart 1 in
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
21
a weight bearing manner, and carry bag 120 covers portable
cart: 1 in a non-weight bearing manner.
To be disassembled in a carry position, U-shaped bracket
rails 60,70, wheels 30 and axle members 32 are inversely
attached to horizontal load supports 10 to comprise a folded
manually transportable cart.
As shown in the exploded view of Figure 3, in the storage
position, in a preferred embodiment, cart 1 includes a pair of
parallel, spaced apart inverted horizontal load support
members 10. Support members 10 each have a front-end 10a and
a rear end lOb. The front and rear ends 10a, lOb each have at
least one axially placed receptacle aperture 12 extending
longitudinally within each load support member 10, for holding
structural components therethrough in a storage position, such
as axle members 32 for wheels 30. In this storage position,
axle members 32 are also inserted within aperture of 33 of
axle connector 34.
Figure 3 also shows horizontal load support members 10
having preferably a generally upside down U-shaped
configuration when viewed in cross-section, wherein a
generally flat member 10c has downwardly extending flanges
10d, 10e including one or more linearly extending slots 10f
for insertion of holding straps 50 therein.
Although apertures 12 are shown in the drawings, it is
contemplated that other configurations may be applicable to
horizontal load support members 10, so long as other members,
such as rails 60, 70 and so forth, may be attached thereto by
fasteners, preferably in an axis parallel to the axis of
horizontal support members 10.
While size may vary, support member 10 is preferably
sixteen (16) inches long and two and a quarter (2.25) inches
wide. Each flange lOd, 10e extends down about one (1) inch
from flat member 10c. Slots 10f are preferably 2.125 inches
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
22
wide and .1875 inches high, to accommodate straps 50, such as,
for example, standard 2-inch wide fabric straps.
Figure 3 also shows vertical struts 20 optionally having
at least one small hole 22, such as kickstand receptacle
aperture 22, for insertion of optional kickstand 40 therein.
Figure 3 also shows horizontal load support members 10
being respectively demountably attached to a pair of vertical
struts 20, having apertures 21 and 22. In one embodiment,
horizontal load support members 10 can be demountably attached
to vertical struts 20, but in an alternate embodiment they can
be permanently affixed to each other, such as in the
alternate embodiments shown in Figures 3A and 3B.
Moreover, while preferably horizontal struts are U-
shaped, as in Figure 3, in alternate embodiments other
configurations can be used, as long as vertical strut 20 can
be attached to horizontal support member 10.
For example, in Figure 3A vertical strut 20' is in a
unified T-shaped member with horizontal support member 10'.
In Figure 3B, vertical struts 20' and horizontal support
members 10' are attached by weldment 20". In Figure 3C,
vertical strut 20' is inserted in hole 10" of horizontal
support member 10', and attached by fastener 10''', such as a
screw or other fastener. In these alternate embodiments shown
in Figures 3A, 3B or 3C, horizontal load support members 10'
may be solid in cross sectional configuration. One such
configuration shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C is that of a
parallelepiped, namely a solid form, all of whose sides are
para:Llelograms, such as rectangles, and whose opposite sides
are parallel to one another.
In another embodiment vertical strut 20 may be adjustable
in length with a sleeve containing a telescopic shaft (not
shown) and with a spring urging the shaft in and out of the
sleeve, with a lock provided.
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
23
Kickstand 40 is shown deployed in Figure 4.
Kickstand 40 is secured in place by a fastener, such
as riylon set screw 37. Setscrews 37 also hold axle members 32
in t:he storage position through vertical struts 20.
Vertical struts 20 are preferably made from 1 1/2 X 2-
inch solid bar stock anodized aluminum, or stainless steel.
Vert:ical struts 20 are preferably about 10.25 inches long, 2
inches wide and 1 1/2 inches in depth.
Also shown in Figure 3, the plurality of optional larger
holes 21, such as holes, which are 0.765 or 1.625 inches in
dianieter, are located on a front side of vertical strut 20.
Smaller hole 22 on the bottom accommodates kickstand 40, which
is preferably a hollow aluminum tube of 0.75-inch diameter and
16 inches in length.
Optional larger holes 21 within vertical strut 20 are
provided for weight reduction of portable cart 1.
On a side 23 transverse to the front 24 of each vertical
strut 20, at a lower portion 20a thereof, is provided a
further hole 25 of about 1-inch in diameter for insertion of
each axle member 32 therethrough. Hole 25 has a permanently
affixed, bushing 26 therein, such as a PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) bushing, to prevent wear and tear of each aluminum
axle member 32 by the aluminum surface of hole 25.
As also shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, each wheel 30 is
demountably attached at an end, respectively, to a pair of
axle members 32, with axle members 32 extending inwardly from
and demountably attached to lower portion 20a of the
respective vertical struts 20, wherein axle members 32 are in
a transverse relationship to horizontal load support members
10. Fasteners, 36, such as cotter pins, hold each wheel 30
upon each axle 32.
Each axle member 32 is received within each hole 25, of
each lower portion 20a of each vertical strut 20. A
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
24
compression groove 27 exists from the underside of vertical
strut 20 to hole 25 and continues to further through hole 27a,
providing for compression of lower portion 20a of vertical
strut 20.
To accommodate narrow or wider cargo, such as watercraft
of varying widths, the distance between vertical struts 20 can
be varied along the axle length by loosening and tightening
the tightening member 28 and moving vertical struts 20
laterally apart or towards each other along axle members 32.
Although optionally a one-piece axle may be used (not
shown), preferably the pair of axle members 32 are held in
opposite axial orientation by straight rigid axle connector
34. Axle connector 34 has tightening member 35, and a pair of
receptacles 33 at the respective two ends of axle connector
34, so that axle members 32 respectively extend outwardly
froni, and are demountably attached within, the axle connector
receptacle bore 33.
While the axle may be optionally a one-piece axle, such
as shown as reference numeral 606 in Figure 33 herein,
preferably the pair of connected oppositely extending axle
members 32 form together an axle for wheels 30.
Each axle member 32 is made of solid round stock of
anoclized aluminum or stainless steel, approximately 0.75
inches in diameter. At the wheel-supporting end 32a, the
diameter is about 0.59 inches in diameter with shoulders 32b
of about 0.08 inches in height, transverse to the axis of axle
member 32. These shoulders 32b provide a resting surface to
prevent axial movement of wheel 30 upon axle member 32.
As shown in Figure 7, each wheel 30 rotates about press
fit bearings 32b, while each wheel 30 is positioned upon each
respective axle member 32 of Figure 8. As shown in Figure 6,
at the opposite end of one axle member 32, there is provided a
hollow, threaded recess 32c of about 0.75 inches deep, to
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
accommodate a connecting threaded member 32d of other axle
member 32, to axially connect both axle members 32 together
within axle connector 34, with a wheel 30 at each end.
Figures 8 and 9 show how axle connector 34 is compensated
alorig groove 38, thereby locking axle members 32 within
bushing 39, which is within receptacle bore 33 of axle
connector 34, by tightening of tightening bolt 35a of
tightening member 35. Preferably bushing 39 is a PVC
(polyvinyl chloride) bushing. Groove 38 is preferably 1/16 to
1/8 inch, in width, which allows for the compression of axle
conr.Lector 34 around axle members 32. Tightening bolt 35a is
inserted within a conventional receptacle which is a through
hole at the proximal end and which is tapped with threaded
grooves at the distal end, to allow for compression of axle
connector 34.
Figures 4 and 6 also show at least one kickstand 40,
preferably a pair, respectively extending horizontally
rearward from each lower portion of vertical struts 20. Each
kickstand member 40 extends rearwardly from the at least one
kickstand receptacle aperture 22 of respective vertical struts
20 and each kickstand 40 is demountably attached within each
respective kickstand receptacle aperture 22. Each kickstand
member 40 is preferably contoured so as to contact the ground
to stabilize portable cart 1 is a parked position of rest.
As shown in Figure 5, to hold a canoe, game or cargo in
place upon cart 1, one or more adjustable load-securing straps
50 are slidably attached to both respective horizontal load
supports 10 in a transverse relationship to load supports 10.
Straps 50 are preferably reinforced flexible canvas straps of
about 2 inches in width.
To complete portable cart 1 as a canoe or boat cart,
Figure 4 shows support cushions 13 mounted upon respective
horizontal load supports 10. Support cushions 13 are
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
26
flexible, such as of rubber or foam, to support the weight of
boat: 2 thereon.
Figures 10 and 11 show the precision balancing of boat 2
upon cart 1, wherein the placement of boat 2 upon cart 1
causes cart 1 to rotate from a position of rest in Figure 10
to a horizontal load position of Figure 11, in the direction
of the arrow.
Figures 12-17 show another embodiment that converts
portable cart 1 into a game cart. Alternatively, figures 18-
20 show how to convert cart 1 into a cargo wagon with a hollow
well.. First, in either situation, carry frame 55 is secured
to L.orizontal load supports 10. Although a one piece,
generally rectangular frame (not shown) may be used,
preferably frame 55 includes a pair of U-shaped brackets 60,
70 joinable together to form frame 55. Various fasteners may
be provided to horizontal load supports 10 to carry objects,
such as carriers, thereon.
Alternatively, for example, a clamp maybe provided to
horizontal load supports 10 to carry a frame of a discrete
transportable carrier directly thereon, as disclosed
hereinafter with respect to Figures 21-24. In that case,
instead of the frame being integrally part of the portable
chart, as in Figures 12-17, in Figures 21-24, the frame is
clamped to the horizontal load supports 10 of portable cart 1.
Other fasteners may include longitudinally extending channel
slots, such as in Figures 33-39 described further below.
Meanwhile, further with respect to Figures 12-17, U-
shaped front bracket 60 extends horizontally forward from
front-end receptacle apertures 12 of horizontal load supports
10, wherein front bracket 60 is demountably attached within
front-end receptacle apertures 12 at one end of horizontal
load supports 10.
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
27
U-shaped rear bracket 70 extends horizontally rearward
fronl oppositely positioned rear end receptacle apertures 12 of
hori.zontal load supports 10 and rear bracket 70 is demountably
attached within each oppositely positioned rear end receptacle
aperture 12 of horizontal load supports 10.
Figure 13 shows how frame 55 is secured to cart 1. Each
distal end of U-shaped front bracket 60 is inserted through
apertures in respective ends lOb of horizontal supports 10
until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in each
vertical support 20, where they are held in place by pins 29.
Pins 29 engage lateral holes 18 in horizontal supports 10 and
corresponding through holes 19 in distal ends of U shaped
brackets 60. Likewise, each distal end of U-shaped rear
bracket 70 is inserted through apertures in respective ends
10a of horizontal supports 10 until each distal end engages a
corresponding hole in each vertical support 20, where it is
also held in place by a pin 29. Pins 29 engage lateral holes
18 in horizontal supports 10 and corresponding through holes
19 in distal ends of U shaped brackets 60, 70 of frame 55.
U-shaped brackets 60, 70 are preferably of hollow,
anodized aluminum tubing of about 0.75 inches in diameter.
The length of each distally extending side member thereof is
about 23.50 inches and the width of the cross bar connecting
the distal side members is about 21.63 inches. About 0.75
inches from each distal end is a scoring, to accommodate a
clamp thereon, to form frame 55.
As shown in Figures 12 and 15 for pulling or pushing game
or cargo upon portable cart 1, handle 80 extends rearwardly at
an upward angle from joints 71 of either U-shaped rear bracket
70 for pushing portable cart 1, or from front U-shaped bracket
60 for pulling portable cart 1 (not shown). Furthermore,
handle 80 may be permanently attached to either U-shaped
brac:iet 60 or 70, or handle 80 may be removable and
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
28
demountably attached to either front U-shaped bracket 60 or
rear U-shaped bracket 70.
Handle 80 has preferably two aluminum tubing connecting
members about 22.5 inches in length, connected by a hand
accommodating transverse bar of solid aluminum, and is 17.5
inches in width. Handle 80 includes connectors 81, having
distal sleeves, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sleeves 82,
perntanently affixed thereto, which are insertable within
joints 71 by locking member 72, having threaded member 72a
which passes through bore 71a of joint 71 and bore 81a of
handle 80. Compression groove 73 exists in joint 71,
providing compression of joint 71.
Handle 80 may optionally have an auxiliary extension
member and clamp (not shown), so that it can be attached to
the rear frame of a bicycle (not shown), to pull portable cart
1.
To carry game 3, as shown in Figure 17, or to carry an
injured person in a rescue operation, Figure 12 shows portable
cart 1 having fabric stretcher 100 stretched tautly between
horizontal load members 10 and preferably mounted over and
around front and rear U-shaped brackets 60 and 70 of frame 55,
by threading brackets 60, 70 through fasteners such as sewn-in
loops 102 of fabric stretcher 100, which may alternatively be
made of plastic or other taut load bearing material. Other
types of fasteners can be used. For example, Figure 14 shows
that loop 102a is openable, and closed by fastener, such as
zipper fastener 102b.
As also shown in Figure 12, handle 80 may include a pair
of posts extending obliquely off of a horizontal axis of
portable cart 1, wherein a head rest cushion 85 extends
between the posts to support the head and neck of an injured
person being transported upon stretcher 100.
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
29
Figures 18-20 show that to carry cargo, hollow fabric
cargo well 110 is attached in the same manner to frame 55.
Hollow cargo well 110 may also alternatively be made of
plastic or other taut load bearing material, and covered by
cover 112. Figures 18 and 19 also show wider wheels 130 for
use on sand or granular terrain.
ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY
The various embodiments of the multiple-purpose portable
cart can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.
For example, for making a canoe cart from the disassembled
portable cart 1, wheel-retaining members, such as cotter pins
36, are taken out of axle members 32 in their stored position,
and wheels 30 come out. Axle members 32 are then removed from
between vertical struts 20. The axle members 32 are then
clamped in a horizontal use position into receptacles 33 of
rigid axle connector 34. Axle members are inserted between
vertical struts 20 and locked in place. Wheels 30 are placed
upon axle members 32 and secured by cotter pins 36. Kickstand
40 is loosened from its rest position and placed in place in
receptacles within vertical struts 20. Canoe supporting
cushions 13 are installed upon horizontal load supports 10 to
support a canoe or boat thereupon. Straps 50 hold the canoe
or boat installed upon cushions 13 in a secure transportable
position.
To convert portable cart 1 into a game cart as in Figure
17 or a rescue cart as in Figure 12, kickstands 40 are removed
and fabric stretcher 100 is installed on U-shaped frame
members 60, 70 of frame 55 frames by fasteners such as sewn
loops 102 thereof. U-shaped frame members 60, 70 are placed
on horizontal load supports 10, and kickstand members 40 are
installed as braces for fabric stretcher 100. Straps 50 are
then installed to securely hold game or an injured party upon
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
stretcher 100. Then handle 80 is installed upon U-shaped
bracket 60 or 70 of frame 55 to pull or push portable cart 1.
To convert portable cart 1 into a wagon to haul cargo, as
in F'igures 18 and 19, fabric stretcher 100 is removed and
holl.ow well 110 is installed over U-shaped members 60, 70 of
f r ante 55.
To make the portable chart 1 portable again, the
components are disassembled in reverse into bag 120. Strap or
straps 50 are used as a carry handle or for backpack shoulder
loops.
While the rescue stretcher shown in Figure 12 has its own
customized stretcher 100, in another embodiment shown in
Figures 21-24, to convert portable cart 1 to a retrofit
disabled person-bearing transportable carrier cart for search
and rescue operations, using conventional railed stretcher
230, support cushions 13 are removable from horizontal load
supports 10 and replaced by clamping assembly 200. Clamping
assembly 200 includes lower jaw 202, and upper jaw 204. While
different jaw configurations can be used, the embodiment shown
in F'igures 21-24 shows each having longitudinally extending
recesses 206 and 208 therein to grip perimeter frame rails of
a lcad supporting transportable carrier, such as conventional
railed stretcher 230 therebetween, as shown in Figure 23.
Lower jaw 202 of clamping assembly 200 includes an
engaging surface 210 with threaded studs 212 which are
inserted into through-holes 214 of load supports 10, and
permanently locked with nuts 216. Upper jaw 204 is provided
with a pair of oblong through-slots, 218, to allow upper jaw
204 to slide on upper surface of lower jaw 202, when threaded
T-handles 220 are loosened. As shown by the arrows in Figure
22 this sliding action allows for quick removal of any
stretcher frame rail secured between jaw assembly 200.
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
31
Figures 23 and 24 are perspective views of a typical
stretcher 230, and a Stokes-type rescue basket 240, securely
clamped to portable cart 1 utilizing the previously described
clamping assembly 200.
As shown in Figure 25 in this embodiment, instead of
being permanently attached to each horizontal load support 10,
removable support cushion 13 is permanently attached to
removable plate 302 with an adhesive 304. This cushion
assembly is removably attachable by nuts 316 and threaded
stud.s 312, to each horizontal load support 10.
Figure 26 illustrates portable cart 1, outfitted with a
plurality of racking assemblies 400, each comprising a rail
clarr.p 410, an upstanding post 424, and a hanger clamp 430.
Rack assembly 400, when used in conjunction with additional
rack assemblies 400, allows for transportation and quick
removal of essential hunting gear such as a chair stand 440,
archery equipment 441, and rifle 442. Other related items
such as knapsacks and bedrolls may be supported by rack
assembly 400, as well. Rack assembly 400 is easily
disassembled from cart 1 upon reaching a chosen destination,
and the components are conveniently transported within cart
1's storage backpack, such as carry bag 120 shown in Figure 1.
Also illustrated in Figure 26 are stabilizing assemblies
450 and 460. Assembly 450 makes use of post 420, which is
friction-fit into an inverted rail clamp 410. Assembly 460
comprises an inverted tubular sleeve 462, optionally
permanently welded to the handle assembly crosspiece. Sleeve
462 accepts kickstand post 424 in a similar fashion to rail
clamp 410. These assemblies 450 460 serve to brace the cart 1
when it is parked.
Moreover, kickstand post 424 may be used with any
embodiment having a handle, such as handle 80 of Figures 12
and 17-19, or handle 81 of Figures 32 and 33.
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
32
Turning to Figure 27, which is highlighted in Figure 26,
an exploded perspective close-up detail view of rail clamp 410
is presented. Clamping block 411 is provided with a bore 412
to receive post 424, an attachment face 413 including a semi
bore 414, and notch 415, and threaded bore 416. Plate 417
includes semi bore 418, through hole 419, and protruding rib
420.
As shown in Figure 28, when threaded knob 422 is inserted
into hole 419 of plate 417 and tightened into threaded bore
416 of block 411, clamping is achieved against frame member
60. Rib 420 is secured within notch 415 by a camming action
in the direction of arrow "A".
Figure 29 shows cantilevered hanger clamp 430, poised to
slide down upstanding post 424. Hanger clamp 430 is provided
with a bore 431, which is notched in a similar manner to
clamping receptacles 71 of the handle assembly. The notch
separates the body of hanger clamp 430 into two walls.
Threaded knob 422 will compress the walls surrounding the
notch, thereby tightening bore 431 around post 424. L-shaped
region 432 is integrally formed with the body of the hanger
clamp, and provides a strong and durable support for
transporting hunting or other gear.
Figure 30 is a perspective view of an anti-tipping
linkage 500, which couples cart 1 to a bicycle. Linkage 500
counteracts cart rollover caused by centrifugal force as the
bicycle negotiates turns.
Figure 31 illustrates the components of linkage 500.
Bicycle seat-stem compression clamp 510 is formed of a body
portion 511, and plate 512, fastened by screws 513. Bore 514
is angled so that clamp 510 remains perpendicular when
installed on a typical bicycle seat-stem. Clamp 510 is
provided with a bore 515 on rear face 516, which accepts a
shaft 520. Pin 517 passes through clamp and fixes shaft 520
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
33
via a through-bore. Shaft 520 includes through-bore 522 at
its distal end. Another through-bore 523 is provided slightly
proximal of aperture 522. When shaft 520 is inserted into
coil. spring 530, hooked leg 531 of the spring will fit into
bore 522. A sliding collar 524 will then extend over leg 531
to prevent pull-out, and a pin 526 will be fitted into collar
hole 525, and into bore 523 of the shaft 520, thereby securing
the collar to the shaft and preventing removal of the coil
spring.
A shaft 540 is provided for the opposite end of coil
spring 530. Hooked leg 532 fits into bore 542 of the shaft,
and collar 544 slides over and is fixed by pin 546, fitted
into collar hole 535 and shaft bore 543.
Support rails 550 and 551 are fixed to handle clamps 71
of c:art 1. The rails are bent into an inverted V
configuration, and permanently affixed to block 552. Block
552 is provided with bore 553, into which the free end of
shaft 540 is fitted. Pin 555 is inserted into through bore
554 of block 552, and passes through bore 547 of shaft 540,
creating the continuous, secure anti-tipping linkage 500
between cart 1 and a bicycle. It is understood that during
maneuvers of the bicycle, there will be no problems associated
with. a typical universal or pivot joint; the coil spring will
absorb and disperse any rotational stresses, and will react as
a 3E0 "living hinge".
Figures 32A-32G, 33 and 33A show an alternate embodiment
600 of the portable cart using four wheels 30 in an overlapped
configuration. A hard molded cover 601 is illustrated
although any cover or no cover can be used as well. Cover 601
covers bin 602 with lower overlapping edge cap 601a fitting
over peripheral shoulder 602a of bin 602. Bin 602 also has
longitudinally extending concave channels 603, which rest upon
rails 604 of cart 600 of Figure 32. Downward pressure of the
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
34
weicfht of bin 602 and its contents helps stabilize bin 602
upori rails 604, which may be optionally covered with rubber or
other resilient linearly extending cushions.
Although Figure 32 illustrates portable cart 600 with
covered bin 602, portable cart 600 can be used with other
embodiments, such as, for example, boat cushions 13 shown in
Figure 4, framed rail stretchers 100 as in Figure 12, the game
cart: of Figure 17, the cargo cart of Figure 18, the
conventional rescue carriers of Figure 23 and 24 or the gear
rack: of Figure 26, among others.
Figure 33 shows a perspective view of the frame of cart
600. Long axle 606 attaches front wheels 30 while short axle
605 attaches rear wheels 30 through respective vertical
support pairs 20. The use of four wheels doubles the carrying
capacity of the cart of this invention while the overlapped
positioning of the wheels maintains a short wheelbase for
compactness and for maneuverability such as turning with fixed
axles and the ability to easily climb ledges. For durability,
the rails 604 may be a double pair of parallel rails.
Double axled cart 600 has increased maneuverability,
since user pushing upon an optional handle 81 enables user to
lift. the farther away, distal pair of wheels 30 off the
ground, and the user pulling upward of handle 81 raises the
nearer proximal wheels 30 off the ground.
Figures 34 through 39 are concerned with an alternate
embodiment of the horizontal load support member 10. The
alternate embodiment 610 has an integral T-slot channel 611 in
its top surface to facilitate easy installation and removal of
a variety of attachments, such as cushions 615 shown in Figure
35-36, clamps 620, 630, 640, shown in Figures 37-39, or
platform 1450 shown in Figure 57. Load member 610 can be
conveniently extruded of aluminum or magnesium; it can be used
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
eitr.er with the two-wheel cart 1 or the four-wheeled
embodiment 600.
Figure 35 shows a resilient cushion 615 installed in the
T-sl.ot 611 of support member 610. This cushion 615 can be
extruded of a variety of rubber or thermoplastic elastomers
and serves the same purpose as cushion member 13 described
above. A perspective view of Figure 36 shows cushions 615
inst:alled on a four-wheel cart 600.
As described above, clamp assembly 200 is used to convert
portable cart 1 to a disabled person-bearing transportable
carrier cart. Three separate alternate embodiments of clamp
assembly 200 are presented; all are compatible with the use of
horizontal support member 610.
Figure 37 shows a one-piece clamp 620 with full width top
section 622 and short end pieces 621, which mate with, and
slip into the T-slot 611 of horizontal support member 610.
Figure 38 shows clamp 630 with a full width bottom member
631 which mates with and slides into T-slot 611 of horizontal
support 610.
Figure 39 shows another alternate embodiment consisting
of two short identical clamp members 640 which are inserted
into the T-slots 611 of member 610 at the two extreme ends.
In all cases, the short clamping sections can be sized to
offer spring-like gripping action on the tubular members, or
fasteners, such as thumbscrews or ball plungers (not shown)
can be used for retention.
Figures 40-50 show alternate embodiments for converting a
conventional hand carried, railed medical rescue stretcher to
a lightweight wheeled version.
For example, Figures 40-42 show shortened horizontal
support members 710 with tightening members 711. Rails 713
are held either by clamps, such as shown in Figures 37-39, or
alternatively through apertures in horizontal support members
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
36
710, as shown in Figure 14. Horizontal support members 710
are demountably attached to vertical struts 720 having
extending therethrough transverse axles 732 supporting wheels
730. Optional pivotable kickstand 740 is attached to rails
713 by clamp 800.
As also shown in Figures 47-50, clamp 800 includes two
jaws 801, 802 having aperture recess 803 for insertion of
rails 713 therethrough. Clamp 800 is closed and tightened by
fastener 804 operated by rotatable knob 805. Internal spring
pins 806, as shown in Figure 47, cooperate with fastener 804
and knob 805 to tighten clamp 800 about rail 713. Internal
grooves 807, 808 accommodate kickstand 740 in the respective
positions of support and rest, as shown in Figure 40 and
Figure 42 respectively.
Figure 43 shows an alternate embodiment for a military
rescue carrier cart 900 with a profile set low to the ground,
including shortened horizontal members 910 with tightening
fasteners 911. Rails 913 are also held by clamps as in
Figures 37-39, or alternately through apertures in horizontal
support members 910, as in Figure 14. Horizontal support
members 910 are demountably attached to shortened vertical
struts 920 to keep stretcher rails 913 close to the ground.
Optional bent handle 945 is connected by clamps 800 disclosed
in Figures 47-50, as discussed above.
Figures 45-46 show how the stretcher version shown in
Figures 40-42 can be converted to a stationary medical gurney
1000. Rails 1013 are supported by horizontal support members
1010, which hare demountably attached to vertical struts 1020,
having axles 1032 supporting wheels 1030. To stabilize gurney
1000, horizontally extending tie rods 1036, 1037 are joined by
threaded clamp 1038 or other fastening means.
Figures 51-53 show a further embodiment for portable cart
1101 which folds down to a disassembled storage position as in
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
37
Figure 51 and which unfolds to an assembled position of use as
in F'igure 52. Cart 1101 includes a pair of horizontal load
support members 1110 laid parallel to each other, which rotate
axially to move perpendicularly extending vertical struts 1120
outward from a position within a storage bag 1101a, where
vertical struts 1120 face each other's distal ends, to a
position of use 90 degrees perpendicular to the storage
position, where vertical struts 1120 extend in the same plane
but outward from horizontal load support members 1110.
In this embodiment shown in Figures 51-53, the resilient
rails 1178 are engaged to horizontal supports 1110 such that
when in a position of storage the rails 1178 are biased to
return to their normal position of use, when released from the
storage position, thus causing vertical struts 1120 attached
to horizontal supports 1110 to pivot upward.
Moreover, vertical struts 1120 can be further
strengthened in place to horizontal supports 1110 by
connecting braces, such as V-shaped braces 1121.
Wheels 1130 are held by axle 1131, which in a storage
position is placed within the storage bag 1101a. To lengthen
cart 1101, rails 1178 move away from each other within holes
1112 within horizontal supports 1110, and are stopped from
further movement by spring stop buttons 1171.
Figures 54-55 show portable cart 1201 which can be
converted from a cargo hauling wagon configuration with cargo
well 1290 attached to frame 1255, to a rescue stretcher with
taut rescue canvas or other stretcher 1292 when stretcher
1292, which sits loosely above hollow well 1290 during the
cargo hauling configuration, but which becomes taut when
peripheral fasteners, such as zippers 1296, snaps or the like
tighten stretcher 1292 in place about frame 1255.
Optional kickstand 1240 or handle 1280 may be attached to
cart 1201 by joints 1271. A further accessory arm bag 1201b
CA 02352979 2005-05-17
38
may be draped down from handle 1280 for further storage. An
optional hard floor member 1294 may be provided below
stretcher layer 1292 within cargo well 1290 for cargo hauling
strength.
Figure 56 shows optional ski attachments 1330 for cart
1301, wherein ski portions 1331 are attached by braces 1332 to
vertical struts 1320. The length of braces 1332 is equal to
the radius of wheels 30 in previous embodiments.
Figure 57 shows optional platform base 1450 for
supporting object such as camera tripods, cooking devices,
ordnance, etc. upon cart 1401. Platform base 1450 slides
within channels 1411 and is secured in place by fasteners such
as recessed hex nuts.
It is further noted that other modifications may be made to
the present invention, without departing from the scope of the
invention.
